Government of Canada to Support Aboriginal Training and Employment in Alberta

EDMONTON, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Oct. 14, 2010) - Thanks to projects funded by the Government of Canada, Aboriginal people in Alberta will get the skills they need to find and keep jobs. The Honourable Laurie Hawn, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

"Our government is helping Aboriginal people get the skills and training they need in Alberta," said Mr. Hawn. "Investing in training is one of the most important measures our government is taking to protect Canada and its workers today, while strengthening the long-term competitiveness of our economy."

The Rupertsland Institute will receive support to design and deliver labour market programs and services to Aboriginal people in the Province of Alberta. As a result, over 2600 Aboriginal people are expected to find full-time jobs in industries where there are skills shortages or they will return to school. Strong partnerships with government, industry, educational and training institutions, and other community service providers will be created. It is expected that through these projects, Aboriginal people will find jobs in industries in which there are skills shortages.

"The Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) has been successfully delivering labour market programming to Métis people in Alberta for the past 15 years. The Rupertsland Institute is a newly created affiliate of the MNA, and I am confident that its programs and services will continue to be at the forefront of Aboriginal labour market programming," said Ms. Audrey Poitras, President of the MNA.

The Government of Canada is providing over $61 million for these projects through its Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS). ASETS is part of a government-wide approach to help First Nations, Métis and Inuit secure sustainable and meaningful employment.

This news release is available in alternative formats on request.

BACKGROUNDER

The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Stategy (ASETS) is an integrated approach to Aboriginal labour market programming that will link training to labour market demand and ensure that the growing Aboriginal population is able to fully participate in economic opportunities. Through ASETS, the Government of Canada will be providing Aboriginal Agreement Holders with $1.6 billion over five years.

ASETS is the partnership- and results-based successor strategy to the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy. Implemented in 2010, ASETS focuses on three strategic priorities: supporting skills development; fostering partnerships with the private sector and the provinces and territories; and putting emphasis on accountability and results. The Government of Canada is working with partners across the country to facilitate the transition and planning process.